Our client- a grower, packer, and shipper of fresh specialty produce-is searching for a Field Production Manager to oversee all aspects of crop production at five locations in California and Mexico. The Field Production Manager will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing all farming field activities to ensure successful cultivation, harvest, and on-time delivery of high-quality produce to customers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Crop Management:

• Collaborate with agricultural experts to develop crop plans, including crop selection, planting schedules, and cultivation techniques.
• Evaluate and improve seed quality. Collaborate with seed companies to focus on improving the genetic traits of crops to enhance yield, resilience, and overall performance.
• Develop crop plans, including crop selection, planting schedules, and cultivation techniques.
• Oversee soil preparation, planting, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control activities to ensure crops are grown according to best practices.
• Analyze soil properties, composition, fertility, and health, to include nutrient levels and pH. Interpret soil testing results data to provide recommendations for fertilizer and soil amendments.
• Install and monitor fields with the latest environmental sensors to assist growers with timing and amounts of irrigation water to maximize response to irrigation inputs.
• Monitor crop growth, development, and health throughout the growing season, identifying and addressing any issues or challenges that may arise.
• Develop Pest Integrated Management (IPM) strategies in compliance with food safety requirements.
• Manage pests, diseases, and weeds that can damage crops while minimizing the use of chemical inputs whenever and wherever possible.
• Recommend types of consumer safe pesticides (USDA/FDA/EPA approved) and the application process of those selected pesticides.

Harvest Coordination:

• Plan and coordinate harvesting activities, including labor, equipment, and transportation, to ensure timely and efficient harvest of crops.
• Monitor crop maturity and quality to determine the optimal time for harvest.
• Ensure that harvested produce is handled and stored properly to maintain freshness and quality.

Quality Control and Assurance:

• Implement and maintain quality control measures to ensure that harvested produce meets regulatory standards and customer specifications.
• Conduct regular inspections of fields and crops to identify and address any issues related to pests, diseases, or environmental factors.
• Monitor post-harvest handling and storage to minimize spoilage and maximize shelf life.
• Assist and ensure compliance with the PRIMUS Certification in Mexico field operations, or Global GAP in USA field operations.
• Arrange for 3rd party laboratory testing (water, soil, pesticide residue, pathogen, heavy metal and contaminate residue, nutritional analysis, shelf life, allergen, and GMO as applicable), and maintain documented results from any field testing.
• Evaluate, assess, update, sustain, train employees, and enforce all corporate food safety plans and standards to include Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). Areas covered in the food safety and defense plans include food handling, approved suppliers, staff health, staff hygiene, waste management, cleaning (sanitation), Food Safety Modernization Act (FMSA) – Produce Safety Rule, FDA, USDA, EPA, and pest control programs. Facilitate and/or direct resolution to issues as it relates to food safety and quality.
• Ensure all quality standards/directives/objectives are being met and satisfied, perishable management requirements, verification of temperature and moisture controls and proper reporting/documentation, adhere to all Customer Preferred Quality Profiles (CPQP), and enforce strict compliance with Lucky Farms Quality Systems Manual

Farm Inventory Management:

• Manage inventory levels of harvested produce, and coordinate storage and distribution activities to meet market demands.
• Monitor market trends and customer preferences to adjust production levels and crop selections as needed.
• Collaborate with the Sales Manager, Logistics Manager, and the Warehouse Manager for harvesting schedules to meet the scheduled customer deliveries and remain updated on the Production/Harvest quantity coordination with the producing fields and schedule all outbound produce and plan for inventory accordingly.
• Quantity and priority planning must be coordinated with the Sales and the General Manager as a requirement, as well as understanding conditions, specifications, and quality, combined with labor integration at the field to accommodate the harvest productivity upstream.
• Coordinate timely replenishment with the Sales, Logistics, and Warehouse Managers.
• Assist the operations manager in the specifications and planning of the new Warehouse Management System (WMS) as it applies to the field harvesting and growing operations.
• Oversee inventory levels of packaging supplies, field tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), fuel, cleaning solutions, irrigation system supplies/spare parts, on-site water storage and availability, pesticides, seed, and fertilizers and ensure accurate tracking of inventory.
• Analyze inventory data with the Logistics and Warehouse Manager to determine and establish the optimum inventory levels required in the San Bernardino warehouse.
• Conduct field cycle counts and 100% physical inventories, as well as completing audits and maintaining the inventory at 99% or better accuracy in field inventories.

Budgeting and Cost Management:

• Develop and manage budgets for field production including labor, equipment, and supplies.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement strategies to optimize profitability while maintaining quality standards.

Staff Supervision and Training:

• Recruit, train, and supervise field workers to ensure that tasks are performed safely, efficiently, and according to established corporate protocols.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff, and foster a culture of teamwork and excellence.
• Demonstrate a high degree of leadership, initiative, and integrity to cultivate and develop subordinate staff.
• Maintain good labor relations and chair various round table discussions to educate employees, solicit employee feedback, resolve conflicts, foster open communication, and promote employee involvement in the decision-making process. Involve employees in the process of real change and continuous improvement.
• Schedule, oversee, and effectively manage the field harvest and grow teams while establishing a consistent and steady workflow, and evaluate/monitor the quality of work to maximize team efficiency and minimize overtime.
• Review and prepare workflows, staffing requirements, space allocations, equipment layouts, and action plans that meet the company standards for productivity, quality, and customer service.
• Assist in determining, creating, and implementing field production standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all field operations as defined by the Master Training Plan and Employee Training Records, then enforcing and recording performance against those established standards and SOPs.
• Provide ongoing training and development opportunities to enhance team skills and capabilities, including conducting and documenting any Recurring Technical Training (RTT).
• Implement disciplinary and coaching actions when necessary and document all progressive disciplinary actions in the employee personnel folders.

Environmental Stewardship:

• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and promote sustainable farming practices.
• Implement soil conservation, water management, and biodiversity enhancement initiatives to minimize environmental impact and promote long-term sustainability.

Agricultural Chemical Compliance and Safety:

• Ensure compliance with regulations from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• Follow all label instructions and restrictions on chemical product labels as required by law.
• Ensure chemicals are stored in well-ventilated, cool, and dry locations away from direct sunlight and potential sources of ignition. Separate incompatible chemicals to prevent hazardous reactions. Clearly label all containers with the chemical name, hazards, and handling instructions.
• Use gloves, goggles, respirators, and protective clothing as required by the chemical’s safety data sheet (SDS). Ensure all employees are trained on the proper use and maintenance of PPE.
• Follow guidelines for mixing, loading, and applying chemicals to minimize exposure and spills. Regularly inspect and maintain application equipment to ensure it is functioning properly. Use techniques to prevent pesticide drift to non-target areas, such as buffer zones and drift reduction technologies.
• Maintain spill response kits in storage and handling areas. Develop and train employees on emergency response procedures, including evacuation plans and first aid measures. Understand and comply with reporting requirements for spills and exposures.
• Provide regular training on safe handling, storage, application, and disposal of chemicals. Ensure workers have necessary certifications, such as pesticide applicator licenses, where required.
• Keep detailed records of chemical purchases, usage, and inventories. Maintain accessible SDS for all chemicals used on-site. Document inspections of storage facilities and application equipment.
• Establish buffer zones to protect sensitive areas such as water bodies, wildlife habitats, and residential areas. Implement IPM practices to minimize chemical usage and promote sustainable pest control methods. Follow regulations for the proper disposal of chemical containers and unused chemicals.
• Conduct regular health check-ups for workers handling hazardous chemicals. Implement air and soil monitoring programs to detect and address chemical residues.

Transportation Management:

• Manage routes for better logistics: help design more efficient routes and provide directives to drivers with updates.
• Develop common refrigerated carriers when required. Negotiates outbound freight pricing and contracts when outside freight is required, and schedules common carriers for pick-ups as necessary (applies to Mexico produce transportation).
• Calculates freight quantities and cubes outloads for maximum truck efficiency (USA and Mexico Fields).
• Analyze, interpret, and maintain all driver documentation including pre trip inspection checklist, driver logs, and post trip inspection checklists, initiate appropriate action based on driver documents (USA field transportation only).

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Collect and analyze data on crop performance, yields, production costs, and quality metrics.
• Prepare reports and presentations for management and stakeholders, and provide recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Utilize AgCode farm management software to maximize efficiency (equipment, labor and CapEx dollars), improve profitability, and gain valuable tracking and reporting information.

DESIRED PROFILE:

• Must be bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.
• Minimum of 2 years proficiency using software tools such as WMS, ERP, MRP, Famous Software knowledge is an asset plus.
• 5 years plus in an agricultural environment managerial role and/or equivalent supervisory experience working with produce harvesting and growing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Chemistry, or a related field required.
• Proven ability to work with a team of people with different personalities and skillsets. Excellent people skills – team player.
• A diligent worker who is a self-starter and proactive – works well with no supervision.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, technical and organizational skills. Ability to multi-task, prioritize and expedite.
• Understand refrigeration preservation systems for cold room storage of perishables.
• Ability to tolerate a produce cold room storage environment for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl or stand for extended periods of time.
• Understand Lean 5S Warehouse methodologies and principles.
• Thorough understanding of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) guidelines, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) directives.
• Train the Trainer Forklift certified.

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